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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2018Agarwood is highly valued for its uses as incense, perfume, and medicine. However, systematic analyses of dynamic changes of secondary metabolites during the process of...
Agarwood is highly valued for its uses as incense, perfume, and medicine. However, systematic analyses of dynamic changes of secondary metabolites during the process of agarwood formation have not yet been reported. In this study, agarwood was produced by transfusing the agarwood inducer into the trunk of , and changing patterns of chemical constituents, especially 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (PECs), in wood samples collected from the 1st to 12th month, were analyzed by GC-EI-MS and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS methods. Aromatic compounds, steroids, fatty acids/esters, sesquiterpenoids, and PECs were detected by GC-MS, in which PECs were the major constituents. Following this, UPLC-MS was used for further comprehensive analysis of PECs, from which we found that 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones of flindersia type (FTPECs) were the most abundant, while PECs with epoxidated chromone moiety were detected with limited numbers and relatively low content. Speculation on the formation of major FTPECs was fully elucidated in our context. The key step of FTPECs biosynthesis is possibly catalyzed by type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) which condensate dihydro-cinnamoyl-CoA analogues and malonyl-CoA with 2-hydroxy-benzoyl-CoA to produce 2-(2-phenyethyl)chromone scaffold, or with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoyl-CoA to form FTPECS with 6-hydroxy group, which may serve as precursors for further reactions catalyzed by hydroxylase or -methyltransferase (OMT) to produce FTPECs with diverse substitution patterns. It is the first report that systematically analyzed dynamic changes of secondary metabolites during the process of agarwood formation and fully discussed the biosynthetic pathway of PECs.
Topics: Catechols; Chromones; Flavonoids; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Odorants; Phialophora; Plant Diseases; Sesquiterpenes; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Thymelaeaceae; Time Factors
PubMed: 29799457
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061261 -
Scientific Reports May 2018Dark septate endophytes (DSE) may facilitate plant growth and stress tolerance in stressful ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of plants to non-host...
Dark septate endophytes (DSE) may facilitate plant growth and stress tolerance in stressful ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of plants to non-host DSE fungi isolated from other plants, especially under drought condition. This study aimed to seek and apply non-host DSE to evaluate their growth promoting effects in a desert species, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, under drought condition. Nine DSE strains isolated from a super-xerophytic shrub, Gymnocarpos przewalskii, were identified and used as the non-host DSE. And DSE colonization rate (30-35%) and species composition in the roots of G. przewalskii were first reported. The inoculation results showed that all DSE strains were effective colonizers and formed a strain-dependent symbiosis with A. mongolicus. Specifically, one Darksidea strain, Knufia sp., and Leptosphaeria sp. increased the total biomass of A. mongolicus compared to non-inoculated plants. Two Paraconiothyrium strains, Phialophora sp., and Embellisia chlamydospora exhibited significantly positive effects on plant branch number, potassium and calcium content. Two Paraconiothyrium and Darksidea strains particularly decreased plant biomass or element content. As A. mongolicus plays important roles in fixing moving sand and delay desertification, the ability of certain DSE strains to promote desert plant growth indicates their potential use for vegetation recovery in arid environments.
Topics: Biomass; Droughts; Ecosystem; Endophytes; Fabaceae; Fungi; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Plant Roots; Seedlings; Symbiosis
PubMed: 29785041
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26183-0 -
Scientific Reports May 2018Indoor wet cells serve as an environmental reservoir for a wide diversity of melanized fungi. A total of 313 melanized fungi were isolated at five locations in...
Indoor wet cells serve as an environmental reservoir for a wide diversity of melanized fungi. A total of 313 melanized fungi were isolated at five locations in Guangzhou, China. Internal transcribed spacer (rDNA ITS) sequencing showed a preponderance of 27 species belonging to 10 genera; 64.22% (n = 201) were known as human opportunists in the orders Chaetothyriales and Venturiales, potentially causing cutaneous and sometimes deep infections. Knufia epidermidis was the most frequently encountered species in bathrooms (n = 26), while in kitchens Ochroconis musae (n = 14), Phialophora oxyspora (n = 12) and P. europaea (n = 10) were prevalent. Since the majority of species isolated are common agents of cutaneous infections and are rarely encountered in the natural environment, it is hypothesized that indoor facilities explain the previously enigmatic sources of infection by these organisms.
Topics: Animals; China; DNA, Fungal; Dermatomycoses; Ecosystem; Environmental Microbiology; Fungi; Household Articles; Humans; Incidence; Mycoses; Vertebrates; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 29769615
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26071-7 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Jun 2018Our studies showed that a combination of amphotericin B and terbinafine had synergistic effects against the majority of melanized fungi associated with...
Our studies showed that a combination of amphotericin B and terbinafine had synergistic effects against the majority of melanized fungi associated with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) and similar infections, including those with , , , , , , , and This drug combination could provide an option for the treatment of severe or unresponsive cases of CBM, particularly in cases due to species of and .
Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Ascomycota; Chromoblastomycosis; Exophiala; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phialophora; Terbinafine
PubMed: 29581111
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00270-18 -
Persoonia Jun 2017as defined by its type species is a genus of , and a member of the group known as 'black yeasts and relatives'. has been reported from mutilating human infections...
as defined by its type species is a genus of , and a member of the group known as 'black yeasts and relatives'. has been reported from mutilating human infections such as chromoblastomycosis, disseminated phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma, while morphologically similar fungi are rather commonly isolated from the environment. Phenotypes are insufficient for correct species identification, and molecular data have revealed significant genetic variation within the complex of species currently identified as or . Multilocus analysis of 118 strains revealed the existence of five reproductively isolated species apparently having different infectious potentials. Strains of the sexual morph cluster within . The newly defined taxa differ markedly in their predilection for the human host.
PubMed: 29151624
DOI: 10.3767/003158517X692779 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Mar 2018Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of severe infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. We previously identified CARD9 deficiencies in four Chinese patients with...
Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of severe infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. We previously identified CARD9 deficiencies in four Chinese patients with phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa. In this study, we sought to identify the genetic and immunological mechanisms underlying rare dematiaceous fungal infections in three otherwise healthy patients with phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala spinifera, Ochroconis musae, and Corynespora cassiicola. CARD9 sequencing in these patients showed one mutation (p.S23X) that, to our knowledge, has not been characterized and two previously characterized mutations (p.D274fsX60 and p.L64fsX59) that led to lack of CARD9 protein expression. Patient-derived CARD9-deficient cells showed a selective impairment of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, NF-κB activation, and T helper type 22- and T helper type 17-associated responses upon fungus-specific stimulation, whereas phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species production were intact. Consistently, Card9-knockout mice were highly susceptible to phaeohyphomycosis and exhibited immune deficiencies similar to those of patients, including diminished NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation in local and in vitro functional studies. This work clarifies the association between inherited CARD9 deficiencies and phaeohyphomycosis, and furthers current knowledge on the spectrum and pathophysiology of diseases resulting from CARD9 deficiencies.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Chemokines; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Middle Aged; Mutation; NF-kappa B; Neutrophil Infiltration; Phaeohyphomycosis
PubMed: 29080677
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.10.009 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2017is a dematiaceous fungus able to cause chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma. All these fungal diseases are extremely difficult to treat and often...
is a dematiaceous fungus able to cause chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma. All these fungal diseases are extremely difficult to treat and often refractory to the current therapeutic approaches. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to develop new antifungal agents to combat these mycoses. In this context, the aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and its metal-based derivatives [Ag(phendione)]ClO = ([Ag(phendione)]) and [Cu(phendione)](ClO).4HO = ([Cu(phendione)]) on crucial physiological events of conidial cells. Using the CLSI protocol, we have shown that phendione, [Ag(phendione)] and [Cu(phendione)] were able to inhibit fungal proliferation, presenting MIC/IC values of 12.0/7.0, 4.0/2.4, and 5.0/1.8 μM, respectively. [Cu(phendione)] had fungicidal action and when combined with amphotericin B, both at sub-MIC (½ × MIC) concentrations, significantly reduced (~40%) the fungal growth. Cell morphology changes inflicted by phendione and its metal-based derivatives was corroborated by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed irreversible ultrastructural changes like surface invaginations, cell disruption and shrinkages. Furthermore, [Cu(phendione)] and [Ag(phendione)] were able to inhibit metallopeptidase activity secreted by conidia by approximately 85 and 40%, respectively. Ergosterol content was reduced (~50%) after the treatment of conidial cells with both phendione and [Ag(phendione)]. To different degrees, all of the test compounds were able to disturb the conidia-into-mycelia transformation. Phendione and its Ag and Cu complexes may represent a promising new group of antimicrobial agents effective at inhibiting growth and morphogenesis.
PubMed: 28194139
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00076 -
International Biodeterioration &... 2017Water-damaged buildings can lead to fungal growth and occupant health problems. Green building materials, derived from renewable sources, are increasingly utilized in...
Water-damaged buildings can lead to fungal growth and occupant health problems. Green building materials, derived from renewable sources, are increasingly utilized in construction and renovations. However, the question as to what fungi will grow on these green compared to non-green materials, after they get wet, has not been adequately studied. By determining what fungi grow on each type of material, the potential health risks can be more adequately assessed. In this study, we inoculated green and non-green pieces of ceiling tile, composite board, drywall, and flooring with indoor dust containing a complex mixture of naturally occurring fungi. The materials were saturated with water and incubated for two months in a controlled environment. The resulting fungal microbiomes were evaluated using ITS amplicon sequencing. Overall, the richness and diversity of the mycobiomes on each pair of green and non-green pieces were not significantly different. However, different genera dominated on each type of material. For example, spp. had the highest relative abundance on green and non-green ceiling tiles and green composite boards, but spp. dominated the non-green composite board. In contrast, spp. dominated green and non-green flooring samples. Green gypsum board was dominated by spp. and spp., but non-green gypsum board by spp. These data suggest that water-damaged green and non-green building materials can result in mycobiomes that are dominated by fungal genera whose member species pose different potentials for health risks.
PubMed: 29681691
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2017.07.018 -
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery :... 2016Phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic infectious condition caused by dematiaceous fungi which usually involve the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis...
Phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic infectious condition caused by dematiaceous fungi which usually involve the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is characterised by papulonodules, verrucous, hyperkeratotic or ulcerated plaques, cysts, abscesses, pyogranuloma, non-healing ulcers or sinuses. In India, commonly associated genera are , , , , and . This condition involves the presence of brown-walled hyphal structures in the dermis and epidermis. Here, we are reporting a rare case series of three patients of phaeohyphomycosis with lesions on finger and dorsum of the hand.
PubMed: 27833296
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.191321 -
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and... Dec 2016Pleurostomophora richardsiae (formerly Phialophora richardsiae) is a dematiaceous fungus that is an uncommon cause of ocular infection. Herein, we present a case of...
BACKGROUND
Pleurostomophora richardsiae (formerly Phialophora richardsiae) is a dematiaceous fungus that is an uncommon cause of ocular infection. Herein, we present a case of endogenous endophthalmitis associated with disseminated P. richardsiae infection.
FINDINGS
This is a descriptive case report with a brief review of literature. A 43-year-old male admitted to the hospital following an acute cerebellar hemorrhage was found to have a swollen and tender wrist. The patient was afebrile with leukocytosis. Visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. Right eye examination noted anterior chamber cells and flare, vitreous haze and multiple large, and fluffy retinal infiltrates. Diagnostic vitrectomy revealed a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with numerous fungal elements. Blood cultures were negative, multiple transesophageal echocardiography studies revealed no vegetations, and synovial fluid aspiration of the wrist and biopsy of the radius were unremarkable. The patient was treated with intravitreal cefazolin, vancomycin, and amphotericin B, topical ciprofloxacin and natamycin, and intravenous amphotericin B and voriconazole. Visual acuity in the right eye declined to light perception, and examination revealed increasing anterior and posterior chamber inflammation. The patient died several weeks after presentation due to a massive intracranial hemorrhage. Fungal culture results from the vitrectomy were received post mortem and were positive for P. richardsiae.
CONCLUSIONS
P. richardsiae endophthalmitis is rare, and outcomes are typically poor. Infections typically occur following traumatic skin inoculation; however, a long refractory period may occur before symptoms develop. Early diagnosis and combination antimicrobial therapy are essential to optimize visual outcomes.
PubMed: 27822745
DOI: 10.1186/s12348-016-0111-2